Do You 'Back Button' Autofocus?

Andrew Boyd · 01-13-2010, 08:24 PM

Did you ever learn how to 'back button' autofocus? Does your camera offer this option? Here's why this method is so clearly superior to shutter release focusing:
Quick Tip: Learn to Use Back-Button Autofocus
Andrew
The Discerning Photographer

kundalini · 01-13-2010, 08:44 PM

A recent discussion about Live View had some opinions expressed on the "back button" for AF.

Live View in a DSLR... (NOT what I thought)

I'm a firm believer on the AF-ON button for autofocus.

eric-holmes · 01-13-2010, 09:15 PM

Does the Nikon D90 have it?

kundalini · 01-13-2010, 09:22 PM

..... bites tounge .....

fiveoboy01 · 01-13-2010, 09:23 PM

Absolutely. AF-ON is the only method I use ever. No switching between AF-C and AF-S and I control the focus, not the camera. Also seems to get more keepers with moving subjects.

fiveoboy01 · 01-13-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by eric-holmes

Does the Nikon D90 have it?

Doesn't have an AF-ON button, but you can program the AF-L/AE-L button to function the same as the AF-ON button would on a higher end Nikon body.

Garbz · 01-14-2010, 04:47 AM

Highly situation dependant as is the choice between AF-C and AF-S shooting modes. I find AF-On to be most useful in situations where there is a high chance of not finding focus for macro shots or night shots where you may want to focus once and shoot multiple frames.

Mike_E · 01-14-2010, 06:21 AM

I don't know about Canon but my Nikon has an exposure comp button about a half an inch from the shutter button and a thumb wheel to make it do whatever you want.

**Big Mike** · 01-14-2010, 08:00 AM

I've been doing this for years. It now freaks me out when I pick up a camera that uses the shutter release button to focus.

CF4 all the way!

gsgary · 01-14-2010, 08:35 AM

Used it for years, it's no big secret

Joves · 01-14-2010, 09:28 AM

Mostly the AF-On but as Garbs said it is really dependent on the subject. Which is true with any settings you will use on your camera or, should.

UUilliam · 01-14-2010, 03:26 PM

Why would you use the back button?
I prefer the half-press shutter, its quicker to use and I dont use exposure lock much

Montana · 01-14-2010, 04:01 PM

I use back button on my 40D which is mainly used for sports and wildlife. On the 5DII I am in studio a lot and use a wireless radio release.

wgp1987 · 01-14-2010, 04:24 PM

Im not a hundred percent on this in my head. You can have the rear autofocus button autofocus differantly than the shutter autofocus? Does both buttons have to AF the same way? I have done zero research on the matter and it itrigued me.

fiveoboy01 · 01-14-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by UUilliam

Why would you use the back button?
I prefer the half-press shutter, its quicker to use and I dont use exposure lock much

I prefer it because it seperates the autofocus and shutter release functions to two seperate buttons. No gingerly half-pressing the shutter to get focus working, and no accidentally tripping the shutter, now to activate focus you have a much more positive action, and you can just bang the shutter button how you want.

As I said for me, I can leave my camera in AF-C, and not have to switch it.

I get more keepers with action shots too, this seems to be a general trend among people who use this method.

Not really sure on how Canon's works, but for my Nikon using the AF-ON button doesn't activate exposure lock(though I believe I can program it to do so), there is another button for that.

01-13-2010, 08:24 PM	#1
Andrew Boyd No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 77 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (5)	Do You 'Back Button' Autofocus? Did you ever learn how to 'back button' autofocus? Does your camera offer this option? Here's why this method is so clearly superior to shutter release focusing: Quick Tip: Learn to Use Back-Button Autofocus Andrew The Discerning Photographer

01-13-2010, 08:44 PM	#2
kundalini TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 7,016 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 73 Times in 66 Posts My Gallery: (0)	A recent discussion about Live View had some opinions expressed on the "back button" for AF. Live View in a DSLR... (NOT what I thought) I'm a firm believer on the AF-ON button for autofocus. __________________ The liver is evil and must be punished!!! It's too strong, something's wrong and I guess I lost the feelin' I don't mind the games you play but I don't like your dealin' God looks bad, the luck's been had and there's nothin' left to smoke Will I be back tomorrow for the punchline of the joke? *James Gang*

01-13-2010, 09:15 PM	#3
eric-holmes I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 857 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Does the Nikon D90 have it? __________________ Nikon *D90* 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 \| 50mm 1.8 www.ericholmesphotography.com www.facebook.com/EHP.Holmes "Where there is no vision, the people perish..."

01-13-2010, 09:22 PM	#4
kundalini TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 7,016 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 73 Times in 66 Posts My Gallery: (0)	..... bites tounge ..... __________________ The liver is evil and must be punished!!! It's too strong, something's wrong and I guess I lost the feelin' I don't mind the games you play but I don't like your dealin' God looks bad, the luck's been had and there's nothin' left to smoke Will I be back tomorrow for the punchline of the joke? *James Gang*

01-13-2010, 09:23 PM	#5
fiveoboy01 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 685 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Absolutely. AF-ON is the only method I use ever. No switching between AF-C and AF-S and I control the focus, not the camera. Also seems to get more keepers with moving subjects. __________________ Bill Nikon D300 / 18-55 VR / 70-300 VR / 50mm 1.4G / 35mm 1.8G / SB-900 / CYBERSYNCS MY SMUGMUG D300s>D700

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01-13-2010, 09:26 PM	#6
fiveoboy01 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 685 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by eric-holmes Does the Nikon D90 have it? Doesn't have an AF-ON button, but you can program the AF-L/AE-L button to function the same as the AF-ON button would on a higher end Nikon body. __________________ Bill Nikon D300 / 18-55 VR / 70-300 VR / 50mm 1.4G / 35mm 1.8G / SB-900 / CYBERSYNCS MY SMUGMUG D300s>D700

01-14-2010, 04:47 AM	#7
Garbz TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 7,928 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 118 Times in 108 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Highly situation dependant as is the choice between AF-C and AF-S shooting modes. I find AF-On to be most useful in situations where there is a high chance of not finding focus for macro shots or night shots where you may want to focus once and shoot multiple frames. __________________ "I am always satisfied with the best." -Oscar Wilde Larger versions always on flickr Best photos in my gallery Proud Supporter of The Pact

01-14-2010, 06:21 AM	#8
Mike_E TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Upper West Side of Mississippi (you have no idea just how funny that is) Posts: 3,514 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 27 Times in 26 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I don't know about Canon but my Nikon has an exposure comp button about a half an inch from the shutter button and a thumb wheel to make it do whatever you want. __________________ Regret: A sin best left to others.

01-14-2010, 08:00 AM	#9
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 22,984 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 298 Times in 276 Posts My Gallery: (93)	I've been doing this for years. It now freaks me out when I pick up a camera that uses the shutter release button to focus. CF4 all the way! __________________ "The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous" Edmonton Wedding Photographer ==>Blog

01-14-2010, 08:35 AM	#10
gsgary TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chesterfield UK Posts: 2,874 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 74 Times in 63 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Used it for years, it's no big secret

01-14-2010, 09:28 AM	#11
Joves TPF Junkie! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Flagstaff/Az Posts: 1,660 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Mostly the AF-On but as Garbs said it is really dependent on the subject. Which is true with any settings you will use on your camera or, should. __________________ I shoot therefore Iam. Nikon D300 Proud Member of the TPF My Photos Are Not OK To Edit Club

01-14-2010, 03:26 PM	#12
UUilliam TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,230 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Why would you use the back button? I prefer the half-press shutter, its quicker to use and I dont use exposure lock much __________________ W I L L I A M Recuva - Lost files? get them back easily and for free! I agree to the Pact Don't take all my advice as hard fact, you should do a little further research on what I say before accepting it as I am still learning myself therefore I may give wrong or bad advice but I do my best to give what I have picked up so far. Gear\|Canon 450D\|18-55mm f3.5-5.6\|75-300mm USM f4.5-5.6\|50mm II f1.8\|Opteka 500-1000mm mirror\| Accessories\|Manfrotto 680B Monopod\|484RC2 Ball head\|EOS 450D camera armor\|16gb + 8gb SDcard\|2x UV filter\|Macro filter\|Rocket blower\|3x mini tripods\|BG-E5 Battery grip + remote control\|Konig KN-Tripod35\|

01-14-2010, 04:01 PM	#13
Montana TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Eastern Montana Posts: 1,480 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I use back button on my 40D which is mainly used for sports and wildlife. On the 5DII I am in studio a lot and use a wireless radio release. __________________ 1DmkIV, 5DmkII, 40D/gripped, 16-35L f/2.8 mkII, 50 1.4, 85L f/1.2, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 100 2.8 macro, 600L f/4 IS, 1.4x & 2.0x teleconverters. 580 ex II, MT-24ex, Gitzo 5541LS, Wimberley Gimbal head mkII. http://dehaanphotography.net

01-14-2010, 04:24 PM	#14
wgp1987 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 540 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Im not a hundred percent on this in my head. You can have the rear autofocus button autofocus differantly than the shutter autofocus? Does both buttons have to AF the same way? I have done zero research on the matter and it itrigued me. __________________ People think i have a gun when they hear im always strapped with a CANON ................ Stuff: Canon 5D MKII, Canon 24-105 f4L, Sigma 50mm f1.4, Canon 50mm f1.8, Nissin DI622

01-14-2010, 05:29 PM	#15
fiveoboy01 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 685 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by UUilliam Why would you use the back button? I prefer the half-press shutter, its quicker to use and I dont use exposure lock much I prefer it because it seperates the autofocus and shutter release functions to two seperate buttons. No gingerly half-pressing the shutter to get focus working, and no accidentally tripping the shutter, now to activate focus you have a much more positive action, and you can just bang the shutter button how you want. As I said for me, I can leave my camera in AF-C, and not have to switch it. I get more keepers with action shots too, this seems to be a general trend among people who use this method. Not really sure on how Canon's works, but for my Nikon using the AF-ON button doesn't activate exposure lock(though I believe I can program it to do so), there is another button for that. __________________ Bill Nikon D300 / 18-55 VR / 70-300 VR / 50mm 1.4G / 35mm 1.8G / SB-900 / CYBERSYNCS MY SMUGMUG D300s>D700

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